Maccarinelli to face Haye

An all-British title fight between Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye has been confirmed for March 8.

Promoter Frank Warren announced the cruiserweight contest between WBO title-holder Maccarinelli and newly-crowned WBC/WBA champion Haye on Friday at a venue yet to be decided.

"I'm delighted that Haye has finally put pen to paper and the fight is happening," said Maccarinelli. "I believe that this will rival, if not better the Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank epics. We are both big punchers but I believe that I am the hardest hitter out of the two of us."

Londoner Haye had to get up from the canvas to sensationally stop Jean Marc Mormeck in the seventh round and claim the WBC and WBA titles in November.

Haye said: "This will be the modern day Benn-Eubank. I'm glad that politics have been put to one side and that Frank Warren and my manager Adam Booth have made the fight happen.

"I feel that it is my duty as world champion to fight the very best, and I guarantee that I will knock out Maccarinelli to convince the few doubters that I am the best cruiserweight that Britain has ever produced."

Maccarinelli has stopped 21 of his 29 opponents, with 16 coming inside the first three rounds, while Haye has halted 19 of his 21 opponents early, with 14 inside the first three rounds.

Warren said: "If there is one fight I would buy a ticket to watch it would be Maccarinelli-Haye.

"It has all the ingredients for a potentially thrilling fight - two big names, both huge punchers, both have been put down but got up to win and plenty of pride at stake."